Multi-strand flat top conveyor

ABSTRACT

A vehicle production assembly includes a discontinuous conveyor system to support a vehicle. The conveyor system includes a first side conveyor chain, a second side conveyor chain, and a plurality of middle conveyor chains longitudinally spaced between the first and second conveyor chains. The conveyor chains can be mechanically synchronized with a single motor.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/382,491, entitled “Multi-Strand Flat Top Conveyor,” filed Sep. 1,2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Assembly line processes can be used in the manufacture of a variety ofitems. For example, an assembly line process may be used to manufacturea vehicle. In the vehicle manufacturing context, certain systems,methods, and devices are needed to move the vehicle being made throughvarious areas or stations within a plant. In this process, it may bebeneficial or practical at times to transfer the vehicle being made froman undercarriage support to a wheel support on a flat top conveyor toprovide access to the vehicle in production.

Typically, multiple conveyors are used in the manufacture of a vehicleto transfer the vehicle from an undercarriage support to a wheelsupport. One such exemplary system includes a conveyor having two flattop conveyor chains that are spaced apart to align with the wheels ofthe vehicle such that one chain is aligned with the right two wheels ofthe vehicle and the other chain is spaced to aligned with the left twowheels of the vehicle. Referring to FIG. 1A, an overhead carrier arm(280) is configured to support a vehicle (212 a) from the undercarriageduring assembly. The carrier arm (280) moves vertically to lower thevehicle (212 a) onto a decking shuttle (250). The decking shuttle (250)supports the vehicle wheels. The decking shuttle (250) moves downstreamat a faster rate to exit the carrier arm (280), then moves at a slowerrate to synchronize with the first conveyor (220). This first conveyor(220) comprises two chains in a spaced apart configuration such thateach chain aligns with the wheels of the vehicle (212 b). The deckingshuttle (250) operates between these two chains. After the deckingshuttle (250) synchronizes with the first conveyor (250), it lowers thevehicle (212 b) to set the tires on the first conveyor (220). Once thevehicle (212 b) is positioned onto the conveyor (220), the deckingshuttle vehicle tire support arms retract and lower between the chainsof the conveyor (220). The first conveyor (220) then moves the vehicle(212 c) further downstream to transfer it to a second conveyor (222).The second conveyor (222) is synchronized with the first conveyor (220).This second conveyor (222) comprises a single wide belt conveyor chain.This single wide belt conveyor allows workers to walk across theconveyor such that the workers can access all portions of the vehicle.Each conveyor of the assembly line is typically driven by a separatemotor.

FIG. 1B shows another typical assembly line having multiple conveyors.In this embodiment, the overhead carrier arm (280) lowers the vehicle(212 a) onto two decking conveyors (250 a, 250 b) with lifts that areconfigured to raise and/or lower. For instance, the overhead carrier arm(280) lowers the front wheels of the vehicle (212 a) onto a firstdecking conveyor (250 a) and the rear wheels of the vehicle onto asecond decking conveyor (250 b). When the carrier arm (280) lowers thevehicle (212 a) onto the decking conveyors (250 a, 250 b), the deckingconveyors (250 a, 250 b) may be in a raised configuration. The deckingconveyors (250 a, 250 b) may then lower and drive the vehicle (212 b)downstream to the next conveyor (220) having two chains in a spacedapart configuration. Another conveyor (250 c) may be positioned betweenthe decking conveyors (250 a, 250 b) to transition the vehicle (212 b)downstream. The decking conveyors (250 a, 250 b) drive the vehicle (212b) at a faster pace. The two-chained conveyor (220) is synchronized withthe decking conveyors (250 a, 250 b) to receive the vehicle (212 b). Asthe two-chained conveyor (220) moves the vehicle (212 b) downstream, thetwo-chained conveyor (220) slows to match the speed of the wide beltconveyor (222) that moves at a slower pace.

Another embodiment of an assembly line having multiple conveyors isshown in FIG. 1C. In this embodiment, an inverted carrier (250) isdriven by an inverted conveyor (352) to lower a vehicle (212 d) on atwo-chained conveyor (220), instead of an overhead carrier arm (280).The chains of the two-chained conveyor (220) are in a spaced apartrelationship to allow the inverted conveyor (352) to continue movingdownstream, through the space between the chains, and underneath of thetwo-chained conveyor (220) as the inverted conveyor (352) positions thevehicle onto the two-chained conveyor (220). The two-chained conveyor(220) then drives the vehicle (212 e) downstream, to a wide beltconveyor (222).

Because of the space between the two chains, it can be difficult to walkbetween the two conveyors to access all portions of the vehicle. Inaddition, it can be difficult to synchronize conveyor sections totransition the vehicle through an assembly line having more than oneconveyor section. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide amulti-strand flat top conveyor having a wide flat top conveyor section.This may allow production of the vehicle to be more efficient byallowing a worker to more easily and safely walk between the conveyors.This may further simplify the conveyor system by allowing themulti-strand conveyors to be driven by a single motor to mechanicallysynchronize the speed of the conveyors. A multi-strand flat top conveyorcan also reduce the floor space and the cost to assemble a vehicle.

While a variety of systems, methods, and devices for assembly lineprocesses have been made and used, it is believed that no one prior tothe inventor(s) has made or used an invention as described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims which particularly pointout and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the presentinvention will be better understood from the following description ofcertain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference numerals identify the same elements.

FIG. 1A depicts a schematic of an assembly line having multiple conveyorsections.

FIG. 1B depicts a schematic of another assembly line having multipleconveyor sections.

FIG. 1C depicts a schematic of another assembly line having multipleconveyor sections.

FIG. 2A depicts a top perspective view of an assembly line with amulti-strand flat top conveyor system and a decking shuttle.

FIG. 2B depicts a top perspective view of a tail section of themulti-strand flat top conveyor system with the decking shuttle of FIG.2A.

FIG. 3 depicts a side elevational view of the tail section of themulti-strand flat top conveyor system with the decking shuttle of FIG.2A.

FIG. 4 depicts a top plan view of the tail section of the multi-strandflat top conveyor system with the decking shuttle of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5 depicts a top perspective view of the tail section of themulti-strand flat top conveyor system of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 6 depicts a top perspective view of a conveyor support system ofthe multi-strand flat top conveyor system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 depicts a top perspective view of a tail shaft assembly of theconveyor support system of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 depicts a top perspective view of a conveyor head section anddrive system of the multi-strand flat top conveyor system of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 9 depicts a top plan view of the conveyor drive system of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 depicts a schematic of the multi-strand flat top conveyor systemof FIG. 2A.

FIG. 11 depicts a schematic of a vehicle positioned on the multi-strandflat top conveyor system of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 12 depicts a top perspective view of the decking shuttle of FIG.2A.

FIG. 13 depicts a top plan view of the decking shuttle of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 14 depicts a schematic of a vehicle being processed by the assemblyline of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 15 depicts a side elevational view of an inverted conveyor system.

FIG. 16 depicts a front view of the inverted conveyor system of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 depicts a top plan view of another assembly line with aninverted conveyor system and a multi-strand flat top conveyor system.

FIG. 18 depicts a side elevational view of the assembly line of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 depicts a top perspective view of another assembly line with adiscontinuous multi-strand flat top conveyor system.

FIG. 20 depicts a top plan view of the discontinuous multi-strand flattop conveyor system of FIG. 19.

The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it iscontemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carriedout in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depictedin the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming apart of the specification illustrate several aspects of the presentinvention, and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the invention; it being understood, however, that thisinvention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of certain examples of the invention shouldnot be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples,features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdescription, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modescontemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, theinvention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all withoutdeparting from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptionsshould be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

In some instances, it is desirable to have a multi-strand flat topconveyor system to transfer a vehicle from an undercarriage support to awheel support. The multi-strand flat top conveyor system is a singleconveyor section that uses a single motor to drive multiple chains alongthe conveyor system. The multi-strand flat top conveyor system providesa wide flat top conveyor portion to more efficiently manufacture thevehicle by allowing a worker to more easily and safely walk between theconveyors. The multi-strand flat top conveyor system further simplifiesthe conveyor system by allowing the chains of the multi-strand flat topconveyor system to be driven by a single motor to mechanicallysynchronize the speed of the chains. Accordingly, the multi-strand flattop conveyor system is more efficient and can reduce the floor space andthe cost to assemble a vehicle.

FIGS. 2A-4 show a vehicle product assembly line (10) including amulti-strand flat top conveyor system (20), a transfer device (50), anda pit (70). The transfer device (50) is positioned upstream of theconveyor system (20) to transfer the vehicle from an undercarriagesupport lift to the conveyor system (20). Both of the transfer device(50) and the conveyor system (20) are positioned within the pit (70) tohorizontally align the transfer device (50) and the conveyor system(20). In the present embodiment, the pit (70) is positioned to align thetransfer device (50) and the conveyor system (20) at floor level (F), asbest seen in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the pit (70) allows maintenanceworkers to more easily access the transfer device (50) and the conveyorsystem (20).

Referring to FIG. 2A, the pit (70) comprises a transfer device pit (72),a transfer pit (74), a conveyor pit (76), and a conveyor drive systempit (78). The transfer device pit (72) is configured to house thetransfer device (50) and is sized to allow the transfer device (50) totranslate within the transfer device pit (72). The transfer pit (74) isdownstream and adjacent to the transfer device pit (72). The transferpit (74) is configured to receive the transfer device (50) and a tailsection, or downstream portion, of the multi-strand conveyor system (20)to allow the vehicle to be transferred from the transfer device (50) tothe conveyor system (20). The conveyor pit (76) is downstream andadjacent to the transfer pit (74) and houses an intermediate portion ofthe conveyor system (20). The conveyor drive system pit (78) isdownstream and adjacent to the conveyor pit (76). The conveyor drivesystem pit (78) houses a head section of the conveyor system (20) and adrive system (40) of the conveyor system (20). Still other suitableconfigurations for the pit (70) will be apparent to one with ordinaryskill in the art in view of the teachings herein. For instance, in someversions, the pit (70) is elevated to position the assembly line (10)above floor level (F). In some other versions, the pit (70) inclined toposition the assembly line (10) at an angle. It should also be notedthat the pit (70) is merely optional such that the pit (70) is removedin some versions.

The multi-strand flat top conveyor system (20) comprises a first sideconveyor chain (22), a second side conveyor chain (24), and a middleconveyor chain (26) positioned between the first side conveyor chain(22) and the second side conveyor chain (24), as shown in FIGS. 2B-5. Ofcourse, any suitable number of chains (22, 24, 26) may be used. Chains(22, 24, 26) can be made from a plastic material with steel linksembedded within the plastic material, but any other suitable materialcan be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the first side conveyorchain (22) is positioned to receive the right wheels of a vehicle andthe second side conveyor chain (24) is positioned to receive the leftwheels of a vehicle, as best seen in FIGS. 10-11. The middle conveyorchain (26) is positioned to minimize gaps between the chains (22, 24,26). Each chain (22, 24, 26) may be about 3 feet 4 inches in width suchthat the conveyor system (20) is about 10 feet in width, but othersuitable dimensions may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, eachchain (22, 24, 26) ends at the head section of the assembly line (10) atthe substantially same point. In some other versions, one or more chains(22, 24, 26) have different lengths and may end at different points atthe head section of the assembly line (10).

As best seen in FIG. 3, each conveyor chain (22, 24, 26) is positionedsubstantially horizontal relative to the floor level (F). In some otherversions, one or more chains (22, 24, 26) may be positioned at an anglerelative to the floor level (F). In the present embodiment, the chains(22, 24, 26) are configured to run at substantially the same speed toprovide a wide flat top conveyor portion across the three chains (22,24, 26). In some other versions, the chains (22, 24, 26) can be drivenat different speeds such that one or more chains (22, 24, 26) run at adifferent speed. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more chains (22,24, 26) can be driven in different directions. In the presentembodiment, the chains (22, 24, 26) are driven by a single motor, butmore than one motor can be used. Other configurations for the chains(22, 24, 26) will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art inview of the teachings herein.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 4-5, the first side conveyor chain (22) and thesecond side conveyor chain (24) extend further upstream than the middleconveyor chain (26) to form a recess (28) between the first sideconveyor chain (22) and the second side conveyor chain (24) at the tailsection of the conveyor system (20). The recess (28) is configured toreceive the transfer device (50) to allow the transfer of a vehicle fromthe transfer device (50) to the conveyor system (20), as will bediscussed in more detail below.

The tail section of each conveyor chain (22, 24, 26) comprises a pair ofsupports (32) to receive a shaft assembly (35), as shown in FIGS. 6 and7. As best seen in FIG. 7, each support (32) defines an opening (34)extending longitudinally through the support (32) that is configured toreceive a bearing housing (37). Each bearing housing (37) comprisesbearings and receives the shaft assembly (35). The shaft assembly (35)comprises a shaft (36) extending through a sprocket (38). The bearinghousings (37) allow the shaft (36) to rotate relative to the support(32). The tail section of each conveyor chain (22, 24, 26) is loopedaround the sprocket (38), as shown in FIG. 6. The sprocket (38)comprises a plurality of teeth (39) that may grip the conveyor chains(22, 24, 26) to reduce and/or prevent the conveyor chains (22, 24, 26)from slipping on the sprocket (38). The teeth (39) may extend across theentire width of the sprocket (38), or the teeth (39) may extend acrossonly a portion of the sprocket (38). As shown in FIG. 6, the bearinghousing (37) is positioned downstream within the opening (34) of thesupport (32). After prolonged use of the conveyor system (20), aconveyor chain (22, 24, 26) may experience stretching. Accordingly, eachbearing housing (37) at the end of the conveyor chain (22, 24, 26) maybe translated upstream within the opening (34) of the support (32) totighten the conveyor chain (22, 24, 26). Other configurations forsupporting the conveyor chains (22, 24, 26) will be apparent to one withordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. For instance,the supports (32) may be provided at the head section of the conveyorchains (22, 24, 26) instead of the tail section of the conveyor chains(22, 24, 26).

FIGS. 8-9 show the drive system (40) at the head section of the conveyorchains (22, 24, 26). In the illustrated embodiment, the drive system(40) comprises a shaft assembly (35), a pair of drive shafts (42), aprimary motor (44), and a secondary motor (46). The shaft assembly (35)is similar to the shaft assembly (35) described above at the tailsection of the conveyor chains (22, 24, 26). Each drive shaft (42) iscoupled with an end of the shaft (36) of the shaft assembly (35). Thedrive shaft (42) then extends outward from the end of the shaft (36).One of the drive shafts (42) is coupled with the primary motor (44). Theprimary motor (44) is configured to drive the shaft (36) of the shaftassembly (35) to thereby drive all three chains (22, 24, 26) of theconveyor system (20). Of course, any other suitable number of motors(44) can be used. The other drive shaft (42) is coupled to the secondarymotor (46). Secondary motor (46) can be used to drive the chains (22,24, 26) if the primary motor (44) is deactivated and/or inoperable. Itshould be noted that the secondary motor (46) is merely optional. Abearing housing (37) is positioned on each shaft (42) on each side ofthe conveyor chains (22, 24, 26) to allow the shafts (42) to rotaterelative to the floor and/or a support. Other suitable configurations ofthe drive system (40) will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in theart in view of the teachings herein. For instance, the drive system (40)may be positioned at the tail section of the conveyor system (20)instead of the head section.

One embodiment of the transfer device (50) is shown in more detail inFIGS. 12-13. This embodiment of the transfer device (50) comprises adecking shuttle, also known as a lift and carry shuttle or a carriershuttle, having a pair of arm assemblies (51, 53) positionedlongitudinally relative to each other. Accordingly, an upstream armassembly (53) is configured to receive the rear wheels of a vehicle anda downstream arm assembly (51) is configured to receive the front wheelsof a vehicle. Each arm assembly (51, 53) comprises a pair of front arms(52, 54) and a pair of rear arms (56, 58). As best seen in FIG. 11, eacharm (52, 54, 56, 58) is configured to selectively rotate from a closedposition to an open position. For instance, in the closed position, eacharm (52, 54, 56, 58) extend transversely across the shuttle to support avehicle by the wheels such that the right front arm (52) of thedownstream arm assembly (51) at position (52 a) supports the front ofthe front right wheel of a vehicle, the right rear arm (56) at position(56 a) supports the rear of the front right wheel of a vehicle, the leftfront arm (54) at position (54 a) supports the front of the front leftwheel of a vehicle, and the left rear arm (58) at position (58 a)supports the rear of the front left wheel of a vehicle, while the rightfront arm (52) of the upstream arm assembly (53) at position (52 a)supports the front of the rear right wheel of a vehicle, the right reararm (56) at position (56 a) supports the rear of the rear right wheel ofa vehicle, the left front arm (54) at position (54 a) supports the frontof the rear left wheel of a vehicle, and the left rear arm (58) atposition (58 a) supports the rear of the rear left wheel of a vehicle.When the arm assemblies (51, 53) of the shuttle are moved to the openposition, each arm (52, 54, 56, 58) rotates inwardly within the shuttleto position (52 b, 54 b, 56 b, 58 b) to remove support of the vehiclefrom the shuttle and transition the support of the vehicle to theconveyor chains (22, 24).

An assembly of a vehicle (12) is depicted in FIG. 14. A lift carrier(80) is used to provide underneath support of the carriage of a vehicle(12) as shown at (12 a). The lift carrier (80) can lower the vehicle(12) onto the transfer device (50) as shown at (12 b) and (50 a). Thearms (52, 54, 56, 58) of the arm assemblies (51, 53) are in a closedposition such that the arms (52, 54, 56, 58) are aligned with the wheelsof the vehicle (12) to support the vehicle (12) by the wheels. The liftcarrier (80) can continue to lower below the arm assemblies (51, 53) ofthe transfer device (50) to transition the support of the vehicle (12)from the lift assembly (80) to the shuttle. Once the vehicle (12) istransitioned from the lift carrier (80) to the shuttle, the shuttle isdriven downstream towards the conveyor system (20). After the shuttle ismoved downstream, past the lift carrier (80), the empty lift carrier(80) can be raised to receive another vehicle.

As the transfer device (50) moves downstream, the transfer device (50)is driven to match speed with the conveyor system (20). The body of theshuttle then drives into the recess (28) between the side conveyorchains (22, 24) as shown as (50 c). This aligns the arm assemblies (51,53) of the shuttle above the side conveyor chains (22, 24). The armassemblies (51, 53) can then be pivoted to the open position to removethe arm assemblies (51, 53) from the wheels of the vehicle (12) at (12d) to position the wheels of the vehicle (12) on the side conveyors (22,24). As the arm assemblies (51, 53) are opened, the transfer device (50)can be lowered to help transition the vehicle (12) from the transferdevice (50) to the conveyor chains (22, 24). Once, the vehicle istransitioned to the conveyor chains (22, 24), the vehicle can be moveddownstream by the conveyor chains (22, 24) to the wide flat top conveyorportion with conveyor chains (22, 24, 26) for further assembly. Otherconfigurations for the transfer device (50) will be apparent to one withordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

For instance, FIGS. 15-16 show an inverted and power free (IPF) conveyorsystem (150) that can be used as a transfer device (50) instead of theshuttle. The IPF conveyor system (150) is similar to the shuttle in thatthe IPF conveyor system (150) supports a vehicle from underneath thecarriage. The IPF conveyor system (150) is inverted relative to a floorlevel such that a vehicle is lowered as the vehicle moves downstreamalong the IPF conveyor system (150). Such a IPF conveyor system (150)can be used with the multi-strand flat top conveyor system (20) asdescribed above to transfer a vehicle from underneath carriage supportto wheel support.

FIGS. 17-18 show an IPF conveyor system (150) positioned upstream of amulti-strand conveyor system (20) such that the downstream end of theIPF conveyor system (150) is inserted within the recess (28) of themulti-strand conveyor system (20). Accordingly, the IPF conveyor system(150) is driven to match speed with the conveyor system (20). As avehicle moves downstream on the IPF conveyor system (150), the wheels ofthe vehicle are aligned with the side conveyor chains (22, 24) of theconveyor system (20). The vehicle is then lowered by the IPF conveyorsystem (150) onto the conveyor system (20). The IPF conveyor system(150) can then release the vehicle such that the vehicle is thensupported by the conveyor system (20). Once, the vehicle is transitionedto the conveyor chains (22, 24), the vehicle can be moved downstream bythe conveyor chains (22, 24) to the wide flat top conveyor portion withconveyor chains (22, 24, 26) for further assembly. Still otherconfigurations for using the IPF conveyor system (150) with themulti-strand conveyor system (20) will be apparent to one with ordinaryskill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

Referring to FIGS. 19-20, a discontinuous conveyor multi-strand flat topconveyor system (120) is shown. The discontinuous conveyor system (120)is similar to the conveyor system (20) discussed above and comprises afirst side conveyor chain (122), a second side conveyor chain (124), anda middle conveyor chain (126) positioned between the first side conveyorchain (122) and the second side conveyor chain (124). A recess (128) isprovided upstream of the middle conveyor chain (126) between the sideconveyor chains (122, 124) to receive the transfer device (50). Themiddle conveyor chain (126) of the discontinuous conveyor system (120)does not extend as far downstream as the middle conveyor chain (26) ofthe conveyor system (20) to provide an opening (121) between the firstside conveyor chain (122) and the second side conveyor chain (124) in anintermediate portion of the conveyor system (120). In the illustratedembodiment, a second middle conveyor chain (125) is positioneddownstream of the opening (121) to provide a second wide flat topconveyor portion across the three conveyor chains (122, 125, 124)downstream of the first wide flat top conveyor portion. Another opening(123) is then provided downstream of the second middle conveyor chain(125) with a third middle conveyor chain (127) positioned downstream ofthe opening (123) to provide a third wide flat top conveyor portion. Itmay be desirable to include such downstream openings (121, 123) in thediscontinuous conveyor system (120) to provide access to the pit (70) inselected areas. Still other configurations of the discontinuous conveyorsystem (120) will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art inview of the teachings herein.

For instance, any suitable number of middle conveyor chains (126, 125,127) can be used to provide any suitable number of openings (121, 123)within the conveyor system (120). The conveyor system (120) can bepositioned substantially horizontal relative to the floor level (F), orone or more conveyor chain (122, 124, 126, 125, 127) may be positionedat an angle relative to the floor level (F). In the present embodiment,the conveyor chains (122, 124, 126, 125, 127) are configured to run atsubstantially the same speed to provide discontinuous wide flat topconveyor portions along the conveyor system (120). In some otherversions, one or more conveyor chains (122, 124, 126, 125, 127) can bedriven at different speeds. The conveyor chains (122, 124, 127) can bedriven by a single motor, or by more than one motor.

Example 1

In a first example, a vehicle production assembly line (10) comprises aflat top conveyor system (20) configured to support a vehicle, whereinthe flat top conveyor system (20) comprises a first side conveyor chain(22), a second side conveyor chain (24), and a middle conveyor chain(26) positioned between the first side conveyor chain (22) and thesecond side conveyor chain (24).

Example 2

In a second example, a vehicle production assembly line (10) comprises atransfer device (50) and a flat top conveyor system (20) positioneddownstream from the transfer device (50), wherein the flat top conveyorsystem (20) comprises a first side conveyor chain (22), a second sideconveyor chain (24), and a middle conveyor chain (26) positioned betweenthe first side conveyor chain (22) and the second side conveyor chain(24), wherein the transfer device (50) is configured to transfer supportof a vehicle from the transfer device (50) to the flat top conveyorsystem (20).

Example 3

In a third example, a process for assembling a vehicle along an assemblyline (10) comprises positioning a vehicle on a flat top conveyor system(20), wherein at least one wheel of the vehicle is positioned on a firstside conveyor chain (22) of the flat top conveyor system (20), whereinat least another wheel of the vehicle is positioned on a second sideconveyor chain (24) of the flat top conveyor system (20), wherein a bodyof the vehicle is positioned above a middle conveyor chain (26) of theflat top conveyor system (20); and driving the conveyor system (20) tomove the vehicle downstream along the assembly line (10).

Example 4

In a fourth example, a vehicle production assembly line (10) comprises aflat top conveyor system (120) configured to support a vehicle, whereinthe flat top conveyor system (120) comprises a first side conveyor chain(122), a second side conveyor chain (124), and at least one middleconveyor chain (126, 125, 127) positioned between the first sideconveyor chain (22) and the second side conveyor chain (24), wherein theat least one middle conveyor chain (126, 125, 127) has a shorter lengththan the first and second side conveyor chains (122, 124).

It should be understood that any one or more of the teachings,expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may becombined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions,embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. Thefollowing-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc.should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other.Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined willbe readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of theteachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to beincluded within the scope of the claims.

Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention,further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may beaccomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill inthe art without departing from the scope of the present invention.Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and otherswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, theexamples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps,and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required.Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered interms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to thedetails of structure and operation shown and described in thespecification and drawings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle production assembly comprises a conveyor system configured to support a vehicle, wherein the conveyor system comprises: a first side conveyor chain positioned on a first side of the conveyor system and extending in a longitudinal direction such that the first side conveyor chain is translatable in the longitudinal direction; a second side conveyor chain positioned on a second side of the conveyor system, wherein the second side conveyor chain is laterally aligned with the first side conveyor chain such that the second side conveyor chain extends in the longitudinal direction and is translatable in the longitudinal direction; and two or more interior conveyor chains positioned between the first side conveyor and the second side conveyor, wherein the two or more interior conveyor chains are laterally aligned with the first and second side conveyor chains such that the two or more interior conveyor chains extend in the longitudinal direction and are translatable in the longitudinal direction, wherein the two or more interior conveyors are positioned relative to each other along the longitudinal direction to provide at least one opening between the two or more interior conveyors in the longitudinal direction.
 2. The vehicle production assembly of claim 1, wherein the conveyor system comprises a recess at a tail section of the conveyor system.
 3. The vehicle production assembly of claim 2, further comprising a transfer device operable to transfer a vehicle from an undercarriage support to a wheel support on the conveyor system, wherein the transfer device is translatable within the recess of the conveyor system.
 4. The vehicle production assembly of claim 1, wherein a downstream conveyor of the two or more interior conveyors terminates upstream relative to the first and second side conveyors.
 5. The vehicle production assembly of claim 1, wherein the first side conveyor chain comprises a top surface having a width sufficient to receive at least one wheel of the vehicle, wherein the second side conveyor chain comprises a top surface having a width sufficient to receive another wheel of the vehicle, wherein each of the two or more interior conveyor chains comprises a top surface positionable underneath a body of the vehicle.
 6. The vehicle production assembly of claim 1, wherein the first side conveyor and the second side conveyor are substantially the same length.
 7. The vehicle production assembly of claim 1, further comprising one motor coupled to each of the first side conveyor, the second side conveyor, and a downstream conveyor of the two or more interior conveyors.
 8. The vehicle production assembly of claim 7, wherein the motor is operable to mechanically synchronize the first side conveyor, the second side conveyor, and the downstream conveyor of the two or more interior conveyors.
 9. The vehicle production assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pit housing the conveyor system.
 10. The vehicle production assembly of claim 9, wherein the conveyor system comprises at least one intermediate opening configured to provide access to the pit.
 11. A vehicle production assembly comprises a conveyor system configured to support a vehicle, wherein the conveyor system comprises a first side conveyor chain, a second side conveyor chain, and a plurality of middle conveyor chains longitudinally positioned between the first and second conveyor chains, wherein the first side conveyor chain comprises a top surface having a width sufficient to receive at least one wheel of the vehicle, wherein the second side conveyor chain comprises a top surface having a width sufficient to receive another wheel of the vehicle, wherein each middle conveyor chain of the plurality of middle conveyor chains comprises a top surface positionable underneath a body of the vehicle.
 12. The vehicle production assembly of claim 11, wherein each conveyor chain of the conveyor system is driven at substantially the same speed.
 13. The vehicle production assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of middle conveyor chains are longitudinally spaced apart relative to each other to form an opening between each middle conveyor chain. 